Harefield Park - Miss Ethel Gray.

This article from the British nursing Journal 24th April 1915, is an interview with Miss Ethel Grey, who was the matron at Harefield Park. Interviewed in Kensington it gives a fascinating insight to British traditions of the day in the language of the time.

"AN INTERVIEW WITH MISS GRAY,

The exigencies of the War have brought to this country many of our colleagues from our Empire Over Seas, inspired with the love of the Mother Country, which impels them to hasten to her aid. One of the latest arrivals is Miss Ethel Gray, Matron in the Australian Army Nursing Service, who, with five Sisters, Miss L. Pratt (Senior Sister), Miss H. Chadwick, Miss E. Mills, Miss M. Hayes and Miss R. Kidd - all fully certificated and members of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association - have come from Australia to staff the Convalescent Home, Harefield Park, near Uxbridge, given by Mr. Billiard Leake as a convalescent Home for sick and wounded Australians, and equipped by the generosity of the Commonwealth. The Medical Officer, Captain Southey, is expected to arrive shortly.

I found Miss Gray in the pretty sitting-room, placed at her disposal by Miss Cave, the Lady Superintendent of the Kensington Gardens Club, at 57, Kensington Gardens Square, S.W., where she is at present staying; the other Sisters, with the exception of Miss Kidd, are now happily at work at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, and appreciative of the opportunity of an insight into English military methods.

The uniform of the Australian Army Nursing Service is both distinctive and becoming. It consists of a grey serge gown for the Matron, with chocolate- coloured cuffs. And a cape-simi1ar to that worn by the Sisters of our own Military Nursing Service, but differing slightly in shape. When on duty Miss Gray will wear grey zephyr. The Sisters also wear a grey zephyr gown, with two chocolate bands on the cuffs, and the red cape. The large silver buttons, with the letters “ G.R.,” are both distinctive and handsome ; and the cap is that worn by our Military, Reserve and Territorial Services.

The badge of the Service which, by the kindness of Miss Gray, we here reproduce, has as its centre a red cross worked in silk, enclosed in a circle in .which are the words, “Australian Army Nursing Service,” and in a wreath of leaves, worked on the Matron’s badge, in silver wire and on the Sisters’ in silk ; the whole is surmounted by a Crown. It is worn by the Matrons on the right fore-arm, and by the Sisters above the elbow. The out-door uniform consists of long grey coats, and a grey bonnet, with a chocolate band beneath the grey brim. Both Matron and Sisters wear a silver brooch, which has a crown as its centre, behind which is the rising sun, and inscribed upon a scroll, the words, “Australian Commonwealth Military Force.”

Miss Gray who, when she left Australia, was Matron of the Perth Hospital, in Western Australia, was trained at the Melbourne Hospital, first under Miss M. D. Farquharson, of whom she speaks with admiration: and then under Miss Amy L.Burleigh, by whom she was promoted to the position of Sister: and remaining in all for twelve years, latterly with Miss J. Bell, well known to many nurses in both England and Scotland. It is an interesting fact that Miss Farquharson was an Hon. Member and Miss Burleigh and Miss Bell have been members of the Matrons’ Council of Great Britain and Ireland-so small is the world, and so far-reaching the influence of the Matrons Council.

The Perth Hospital, of which Miss Gray is Matron, as she has had leave of absence for her present work, has, with a Branch Hospital under its jurisdiction, over 300 beds; it is, therefore, an important training school.

The Australian Army Nursing Service, of which Miss Gray is a member, includes Miss Gould and Miss Bell as Principal Matrons, both of whom went with the contingent of 161members of the Service to Egypt. The latest news of Miss Gould is that, with some of the Sisters, she has gone to the Dardanelles, to help to provide the nursing staff, which it is anticipated will be required shortly.

In each of the States in Australia the Military Nursing Service has a Matron or Matrons ; it also includes Sisters and Staff Nurses. The members, who are, of course, all fully-trained and certificated, have to attend a special course of lectures before entering the Service. They provide their own uniform in time of peace, but if they go on active service the money they have expended is refunded.

The voyage from Australia was without exciting incident, but Miss Grav describes the passage through. the Suez CanaI very interesting. The ship passed close enough to the shore to permit their seeing the wire entanglements which protected it, and for passengers to throw oranges to the Indian troops stationed behind them.

Nursing organisation in Australia has, as our readers know, attained a high level of efficiency through the voluntary associations of nurses, but they are still working, and hoping, for Registration by the State. It is also instructive to note how important it is that there should be uniformity of standards in the United Kingdom and the Dominions beyond the Seas. Thus the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses’ Association, of which Miss Glover (another member of the Matrons’ Council) is now President, is unable to recognise the certificate of the Central Midwives Board, as the Board only insists on a period of three months‘ training, whereas the R.V.T.N.A. requires six. There is, however, a probability that this difficulty will be overcome in the near future by the adoption of the six months’ term of training by the Central Midwives Board.

The more recent developments of nursing in Victoria are the Bush Nursing Scheme, which is now beginning to take root, and Visiting Nursing, which Miss Gray considers has a most useful future before it. Miss Primrose, who was the pioneer of this work, is now known as “The Lady with the Car,” as she has set up a motor car which takes her quickly to her cases. Many others use bicycles. As in this country, the engagement of a private nurse is a heavy expense to middle class people, and there is the difficulty of lack of accommodation. When, therefore, the whole time service of a nurse is not needed, or cannot be afforded, the visiting nurse is very welcome, and increasingly in demand.

Miss Gray and her unit are under the general direction of Sir George Reid, the High Commissioner for Australia, and more immediately under that of Major Norris, with whom Miss Gray is at present working at the office in Victoria Street, S.W. "

Harefield Park - in 1915.

This article from the British Nursing Journal dated 24th July 1915, gives a good description of how the rooms and beds were set up at Harefield Park.


“AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL AT HAREFIELD PARK.

Harefield House, the first Australian Auxiliary Hospital, at Harefield Park, near Uxbridge, is one of the splendid gifts placed at the service of the mother Country by the Commonwealth of Australia and the generosity of those having ties with Australia, notably Mr. Billyard Leake, to whom the loan of the house is due.

The house is some five miles distant from Uxbridge, but a drive in golden sunshine through the lovely country, past cottages where periwinkles grow in the hedgerows, and through a countryside steeped in peace, is some compensation for the slowness of the only available conveyance, and the tendencies of its horse to return to Uxbridge instead of proceeding to Harefield Park.

As the Jehu admitted subsequently, “he is getting old and artful, like myself.” But at least one’s enjoyment of the surrounding loveliness is prolonged, the only reminder of war being an aeroplane poised like a bird in the clear ether.

Harefield House is a handsome, substantial, square house, in the centre of the park, overlooking a peaceful lake, and as great a contrast as possible to the stress and tumult of the war zone, from which those for whose service it has been prepared with so much care have lately arrived. Adjoining the central hall are the rooms where stores are received and sorted, and the operating theatre, spacious and well arranged, with a large window overlooking the garden. The wards are on the first floor, where the rooms, of varying size, form the four sides of a square, round a central wall, and all open into one another. One overlooking the lake is specially charming. The Matron, Miss Ethel Gray, of the Australian Army Nursing Service, greatly appreciates the beauties of the place, both as a feature in the treatment of the patients who come under her care, and as an enjoyable element in her own life and that of the Sisters.

The hospital, the capacity of which was originally 50 beds, has now been extended to the regulation size of a military hospital, containing 520, and huts have been erected in the grounds close by, with well-arranged offices and extra kitchens, although in the house itself the kitchen staff can cook for over 300.

A hospital of this size needs large supplies, and the Australian Red Cross Society has given no less than 1,460 blankets, 1,403 pillow-slips, besides socks, shirts, housewives, and Mrs. Collins, wife of Captain Collins, Secretary for the Commonwealth, has sent pyjamas, shirts, bandages, dressing gowns, and writing pads, all much-appreciated gifts. Amongst the visitors to the hospital have been Sir Edmund and Lady Barton, who brought welcome gifts of cigarettes.

The nursing staff working under Miss Gray wear the distinctive uniform of the Australian Army Nursing Service.

The unit, of which Captain Southey is Medical Officer and Miss Gray Matron, is under the general direction of Sir George Reid, the High Commissioner for Australia.

Recently Mrs. Rita Fiske gave a tea and entertainment to the patients which was greatly appreciated."

Harefield Park - No.1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital.

No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital was situated at "Harefield Park", Harefield, Middlesex. Australian residents Mr and Mrs Charles Billyard-Leake offered the property in November 1914, to be used as a Home for convalescent wounded soldiers of the A.I.F. Their offer was accepted by the Commonwealth Defence Department in December 1914.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms51-12-1294-s1

The property comprised Harefield Park House, a plain three-storey brick structure, some outbuildings, and ample grounds. At the time of the acceptance of the offer it was estimated by the military authorities that the house would accommodate 50 soldiers under winter conditions and 150 during spring and summer. In fact, the hospital accommodated over 1,000 beds at the height of its use, and also a large nursing and ancillary support staff.

On the 19 January 1915, the Minister for Defence informed the Secretary, Department of External Affairs that approval had been given for the following staff:-
One Captain (A.A.M.C.), one Sergeant, one Corporal, four men as wardsmen and orderlies, also one Matron and five nursing sisters; the Medical Superintendent to be under the supervision of the High Commissioner.

Upon arrival in England, the Medical Superintendent was to purchase the necessary equipment for 150 patients in the summer, and 60 in the winter, and with his staff furnish and equip the house in readiness for use by Australian troops in the spring. The official date of opening was 4 June 1915.

The first Commanding Officer appointed for the Hospital Captain M. V. Southey, A.A.M.C. and his staff left Australia by the transport "Runic", due to arrive in England on, or about April 15, 1915, and the Matron Miss E. Gray, and five nurses, left by R.M.S. "Osterley", to arrive in England on, or about 27 March 1915. The names of the original nursing sisters were:- Senior Sister Pratt, and Sisters Mills, Chadwick, Kidd and Hayes, all of whom had been chosen specially for their fitness for the positions.
The work of the Depot was laid down in the following terms:

• Rest home to recuperate after sickness or injury, for officers, warrant officers, N.C.O.'s and rank and file.
• Depot for collecting invalids for return to Australia.

The work of the Depot became far wider as the War progressed, and in time all normal hospital functions were assumed, and by August 1918,it had been made a Centre for eye, ear, nose and throat diseases. It also maintained an Electrical Department where many hundreds of "Skiagrams" (early X-rays) were made. There were also massage and Dental Departments. By April 1918, the nominal roll of nursing staff had risen to 74. In May 1919, Mr Billyard-Leake offered "The Red House", Harefield for rental for accommodation for hospital personnel. By this time, the Hospital was contained in large huts, dispersed throughout the grounds of Harefield Park, there being nearly fifty buildings in use including workshops, garages, stores, messes, canteens, recreation hall, billiards room, cook house detention room and mortuary.

Amenities included the Red Cross Store which was opened in November 1916; the Patients Canteen - opened and conducted by a Committee comprising Mrs Charles Billyard-Leake, Miss Letitia Billyard-Leake, the Hon Mrs Lambart, Mrs Stedall and Miss Stedall, Mrs Evans, and Mrs Vennings - all ladies of the surrounding district. There was also a Billiard Room, Writing Rooms, and a Recreation Hall where daily concerts were given by visiting parties, as well as regular film shows. Mrs Gregg-MacGregor (wife of Chaplain Captain Cregg-MacCregor) managed the Library. Trips to London were arranged and paid for out of Canteen funds, and Mrs Vennings and other ladies made their cars freely available for country trips, picnics, and Journeys to and from the railway station, (both for patients and visitors to the Hospital).

An Orderlies Canteen was formed in January 1916 for the use of all ranks below sergeant. Suitable premises were found and converted in Canteen, Billiard Room, and Reading and Writing Rooms.

A small magazine was produced in November 1916, to be followed in December 1916 by the first issue of the official magazine, the Harefield Park Boomerang, issued under the editorship of the Director of Recreation and Study. It was subsequently published irregularly, until it was finally established as a monthly journal, and ran until the final issue - the Victory Number, December 1918.

Many awards and decorations were made at No.1. AAH, and one of note was that made to Staff Nurse Corkhill. A.A.N.S. The entry in the War Diary August 1918, Appendix III, (Sept 10, 1918) reads: Extract from A.I.F. List No. 375, 27.8.18 re S/Nurse E P Corkhill (now attached to No 1 A.A.H.).

“War Office 23rd August 1918. His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve of the award of the MILITARY MEDAL to the undermentioned lady for distinguished service in the Field, as recorded: Staff Nurse Pearl Elizabeth Corkhill, AANS; "For courage and devotion on the occasion of an enemy air raid. She continued to attend to the wounded without any regard to her own safety, though enemy aircraft were overhead. Her example was of the greatest value in allaying the alarm of the patients."”

The Hospital and its staff came under great strain during the outbreak of epidemic influenza with its pneumonic complications in 1918, and its highest monthly number of deaths was experienced in October/November 1918 due entirely to the epidemic.

On Anzac Day, April 1918, the third anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, a Commanding Officers Parade of Staff and walking patients was held, and was attended by some 337 personnel. After inspection by the Commanding Officer, the whole marched through Harefield Village to the Parish Churchyard, headed by the Unit Band. Near the graves of the Australian soldiers, the troops were drawn up in formation of a hollow square under the Australian flag. The two Chaplains attached to the Hospital conducted the Memorial Service. Many prominent residents, of Harefield attended the service, together with friends of the hospital, and the nursing staff. The decoration of the graves with flowers was arranged by the wife of the Commanding Officer (Lieut Col Yeatman) and many ladies helped and contributed to the cost of flowers, or gave them from out of their own gardens.

The Hospital continued to function until January 1919, when it was gradually closed down. The Commanding Officer Lieut Colonel Yeatman was awarded the O.B.E. (Military Division) for his services.

A Dangerous Glare

"A Dangerous Glare"

This excellent letter appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 21st October 1914.

The writer’s main concern was the threat to residents from excessive lights being shown. But I love the second part where he feels that public appeals for cigarettes are pampering the soldiers.

A Dangerous Glare

"Sir – The old adage which says “Trust in God and keep your powder dry” is a good one. Why does Eastbourne keep such an unnecessary blaze of lights over the town after sunset? The Germans are ready to drop a bomb on a cottage as on a fort, to shot a little girl with a wooden sword as a soldier of the enemy with a gun.

The cocksure Englishman is a ridiculous creature. Eastbourne is neither fortified, nor, perhaps, of strategic importance, but there is no need to court the attention of the enemy.

May I allude to another subject? When the demand on our nation to provide the necessaries for our Army, the Belgian refugees, and to spend money for the help and protection of our girls and women of England at such a time of excitement and temptation is so stupendous, is it desirable to make appeals for cigarettes and tobacco – unnecessary luxuries?

I believe Japan forbade its youth to smoke under the age of 21, when the war with Russia seemed possible. We want our men fit, the wounded and distressed cared for, not pampered. "

Yours truly

An Old Resident.

Blighters by Siegfried Sassoon.

After publishing “The War Films” yesterday I though I would follow it with the very famous "Blighters" by Siegfried Sassoon.

I first came across this in an English Literature ‘A’ Level course. In those bygone days I really liked this poem but it now seems to me very bitter and poisoned. The ‘front’ was miles away from home and people only had second-hand tales, films and news reports to live by, but life still had to go on. Not many families escaped without losing someone to the war and soldiers on leave or recuperating wanted to forget about the horror of the trenches. Although I understand and sympathize with Sassoon’s sentiments I personally feel it’s more than a little unfair and acrimonious but it is purposely shocking.

Anyway here it is and I leave it to you to make your own judgment:


Blighters

The house is crammed: tier beyond tier they grin
And cackle at the Show, while prancing ranks
Of harlots shrill the chorus, drunk with din;
"We're sure the Kaiser loves the dear old Tanks!"

I'd like to see a Tank come down the stalls,
Lurching to rag-time tunes, or "Home, sweet Home,"--
And there'd be no more jokes in Music-halls
To mock the riddled corpses round Bapaume.

The War Films - Sir Henry Newbolt.

This is an excellent poem by Sir Henry Newbolt, not his most famous but it captures something of the people at the home seeing the men in action. You could imagine a packed cinema watching Malins “The Somme.”

The War Films

O living pictures of the dead,
O songs without a sound,
O fellowship whose phantom tread
Hallows a phantom ground --
How in a gleam have these revealed
The faith we had not found.

We have sought God in a cloudy Heaven,
We have passed by God on earth:
His seven sins and his sorrows seven,
His wayworn mood and mirth,
Like a ragged cloak have hid from us
The secret of his birth.

Brother of men, when now I see
The lads go forth in line,
Thou knowest my heart is hungry in me
As for thy bread and wine;
Thou knowest my heart is bowed in me
To take their death for mine.


(Sir Henry John Newbolt, (6 June 1862 – 19 April 1938) was an English poet. He is best remembered for Vitaï Lampada, a lyrical piece used for propaganda purposes during the First World War.

Written in 1897 about a schoolboy cricketer who grows up to fight in Africa, Vitai Lampada. There, in the panic of battle the boy is stirred to heroic action by schooldays memories: “his Captain’s hand on his shoulder smote - / Play up! Play up! And play the game!”

“Play up! Play up! And play the game!” – words that have become famous through the years - symbolised Newbolt’s view that war should be fought in the same spirit as school sports. The poem was well received both critically and publicly at the time, and his work underwent a further revival at the outbreak of the First World War, when optimism was high; however as gloom set in, Newbolt’s verse consequently suffered in popularity.)

Gallipoli Landings- Pte. James Hood MM, 6th Battalion, AIF.

This account is by Pte, James William Hood of the 6th Battalion, AIF and was published in the WEST WIMMERA MAIL on July 16th, 1915.

Private Hood did not actually take part in the Landing at Gallipoli on April 25th, but saw all the action on board ship with the unloading party. His account offers a unique perspective of the landings.

"Private Jim HOOD, son of Mrs. HOOD of Polkemmet, has written two interesting letters home. The first was written on May 2 on the troop ship Galeka, off Alexandria, and is as follows:--

"I suppose you were pleased to hear that Australia won her first victory in one of the severest battles of the war. I was unlucky enough to miss it, as I was left on board to help unload in the hold party, and after the hospital ships were filled with wounded they sent them onto our boat, and so we have been nurses and general sickmen's orderlies ever since. It was a rotten job, just about turned me up. I thought I could stand blood. They talk about the way the Germans play dirty tricks, but the Turks can loose them at it. They hold up the white flag and then shoot our men as soon as they approach them. German officers are everywhere in our uniforms, giving our men orders in English, and playing our bugle calls to entice our men out of the trenches. The Turks seem to use more explosive bullets then any other kind.

The wounds they give are awful. One chap had his hand blown off with the explosion. In the trenches they pop off above you just like crackers, and when you open them there is just an outer coat of nickle, filled with powder and a little soft lead to hold the powder in. The troops landed on my birthday. We had the ship right close to the shore, and the shrapnel was flying all over us. It was a terrible rough landing for the boys. First time under fire, and an awful lot were shot in the boats before they reached shore. One boat was sunk by a shell going through it, and the men were picked up in the water. The boys behaved beautifully. They charged as soon as they landed, in fact they jumped out up to their necks in water and charged the Turkish trenches 50 yards from the shore, and then chased the Turks a mile and a half inland.

Their snipers took heavy toll of our men. You couldn't see them 12 yds from you and they just murdered our chaps wholesale. One sniper they shot had 12 identification discs and about £200 in Australian money from those he had shot, and another had wristlet watches up to his elbow on one arm. I suppose you will have heard all this news long before you get this letter; but we have no time to think of anything else at present, as you may guess. It is a unique experience for all of us, and it is a scene that some of us will never forget. There are a lot of our fellows gone. Three of my mates at Mena are dead and two more wounded. Goodbye for the present. I will write first chance, but we land in firing line this week. Love to all home and Polkemmet, and to all the girls near home.

The second letter is thrilling :--

Some spot in Turkey, May 18 -- I must write a line to let you know I am still going strong, though the shrapnel are screaming musically about and above our heads, and rifles and machine guns are also doing their share of the orchestra. I don't know where my mail has been getting to, as I have only had two letters since we left Mena on the 14th of April. I met Bruce GREGSON (wounded) the other day, but he is back in the firing line again. If the Australians can do nothing else they can play this game well. At present they are laughing and joking at every shell that comes. It is funny the difference between death in civil life and death here. It seems such a common thing to expect to get your turn, and still it doesn't come, and even when you see a friend shot you have no time to do anything but just fire on for all your worth.

There is one thing about the Turks, you can't bayonet them, because they won't wait for you and you have no chance of catching them for they run like hares. They say this is more serious fighting than that in France, and they call it "Hell on Earth". It is worse here because it is full of bullets, Lyddite, hand grenades, shrapnel and various other articles. Tell the girls I have no time for more than one letter and not much time for that. I am writing this on my water bottle, well down in the ground in a dug out with just room for three in it. Jack CHARLTON, Will HOLDEN, and myself all writing. It may be the last time for months or it may be forever (Kathleen Mavourneen style). Someone just sang out that from the amount of fireworks there were here he reckoned it was the 5th November and not 18th May. The light horse are in the trenches with the infantry now. Goodbye mother. Say goodbye to all I know, as it is 10:1 chance if I ever see them again. You can't realise what it is like.

[ An official post card, dated May 20, said he was well, but have since heard that he was wounded on June 24 ]

Later Mrs. HOOD informed us yesterday that she received a wire the night before containing the bad news that her son had been severely wounded in the right leg. "

James William Hood enlisted on 14th September 1914, in the 6th Battalion AIF as 2nd Reinforcement, he was injured in 1915 and returned to Australia.
However, he reenlisted when recovered on the 16th March 1916 again with the 6th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement.

On 18th August 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during the Battle of Lihons.

The citation reads:

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 10th day of August 1918 at LIHONS. During the attack this Stretcher Bearer did magnificent work and displayed great courage in going out under heavy Machine Gun and rifle fire across extremely flat and open country and rescuing wounded. On many separate occasions, after his comrade had become a casualty, he bandaged the wounded by himself and at great personal risk repeatedly carried them great distances on his back to a place of safety. His courage was superb.' (Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109. Date: 15 September 1919).

He survived the war and returned to Australia on 22nd August 1919.

Gallipoli Landings - Lance Corporal Viv Brown, 8th Battalion, AIF.

This report from the West Wimmera mail comes from Lance Corporal Vivian Charles Brown, 8th Battalion AIF.

He was a carpenter from Natimuk, Victoria. He enlisted on 19th August 1914 aged 27, regimental no. 643. He returned to Australia on 17th March 1917, injured.

A newspaper report of the 23rd June 1920 updates “Mr. Viv Brown is back in Natimuk from the Caulfield Military Hospital, where he underwent an operation on his foot, which was shattered by a shell.”

This account gives a different angle and even has time for some humour, “As the hills were very steep many rolled down instead of walking”.

Mrs. EKMAN writes:-- I noticed in your last issue that you stated my brother, Viv. C. BROWN was at Malta (minding prisoners), I beg to inform you, that is incorrect, because Monday, 21st June, I received a letter from him, which runs as follows:--

"Just a few lines to let you know I am still able to eat three meals a day. We are right in the thick of it here, if you know where "here" is, as we are not allowed to say where we are at present. We landed on a Sunday and I do not think I will ever forget it. The first salute we got was a hail of shrapnel as we rowed ashore in the boats, and as we got ashore it was like someone throwing stones. They (the stones) were flopping all around us. It was all uphill work.

There was a funny side to it as well. As the hills were very steep many rolled down instead of walking. I experienced it myself, and it was not too pleasant, as there was a lot of prickly bushes where I lobbed. The fire was not too bad until we got to another hill. Colonel GARTSIDES (he is dead now poor chap) said we would be under heavy fire when we were going down the other side, and he was quiet right, we were. I reckon I could have given any of the crack runners of "Nati" a start and then have beaten them down the next gully. I will ring off now as paper is scarce. H. HALLAM was the only one from Natimuk that got hit, he is still in the hospital. Remember me to all over there as I cannot write to everyone."

Gallipoli Landings - Pte Cecil Edmonson, 12th Battalion, AIF.

This letter appeared in the WEST WIMMERA MAIL on June 18th, 1915. Written to his mother by Pte. Cecil Edward Edmondson, 12th Battalion, AIF. He enlisted on 12th September 1914 no. 1021 and returned to Australia on 24th June 1916.

It gives a pretty graphic description of the landing and of how lucky he was not to get hit.


"This is the first opportunity I have had of writing to you. I am at a disadvantage at present, as I have lost all my belongings and have got no money, so couldn't get any paper until I got up, otherwise you would have heard sooner. We will be freshly equipped before we go back. I got a bullet in the leg, and have been waiting for the x-rays, but they have decided to leave the bullet in, as it doesn't seem to be going to affect me. I am at Cairo, but will be back at the front before you get this. No doubt you have an account of the landing in Turkey. It was rather a warm reception that we got, but our boys were very brave and fought against great odds. Poor old Australia, she has lost a lot of her best lads, and is likely to loose many more. Our officers were very brave, and the poor chaps were picked off in great numbers. Our battalion lost Colonel and Lieutenant. Colonel the first day, and I hear that our Captain, who was a splendid man, was wounded badly. No doubt you wondered where we were after we left Cairo.

We were at Lemnos Island, a Greek possession, not far from the Dardanelles. We did some hard training there, climbing big hills, rowing, climbing rope ladders off the boats on to destroyers. Our brigade, the 3rd, was the one chosen to land first, and they have got great praise. One would never think it possible to land troops there, and I'm sure we wouldn't have only for the warboats. The forts had there fire on us, also machine guns and rifles all day Sunday, and all through the night the firing kept up. It was a fearful row, battle ships behind, Turks big guns and machine guns in front and on the left of us, and our own guns as well. It was war in earnest ; but with all this noise, when I was relieved, I was able to sleep as soundly as if I were in bed. There were some fearful sights and I shall never forget them.

I don't mind the bullets so much, it is the shrapnel that is so terrible. The earth shakes under you when a shell bursts, and the effects are awful. Several of our men, where they burst close to them, were blown to pieces. There is a difference between shell and shrapnel. Shrapnel is a shell full of round bullets and when it burst the bullets go forward about 30 to 40 yards wide, and 200 to 300 yards forward, so you can see it is hard to dodge. I have had quiet a number of experiences, and can tell you I have been in about the thickest fire that has been experienced, and one can hardly believe he is alive the narrow shaves I have had. One experience out of a number was when I was lying wounded. I propped my head on my arm and a bullet went right through between my arm and head and hit a chap behind me in the chest. There are others waiting to write, so I must now leave you. Although we were at times in storms of bullets I wasn't at all afraid. I really think your boy would be a good soldier so don't worry about him. "